Turbulent high tide at Whitstable

Another very windy day with gales from the North West. So what did we do? Went to the exposed North Kent coast at Whitstable.

We were there as the tide was at its highest, just after a spring tide with waves driven ashore by those strong north westerlies.

It was an exhilarating walk, salt spray in the air, water rushing up the beach building up shingle against the groynes snd gouging away at the grass at the high tide mark. The beach huts in this shot were in some danger of being flooded - some only narrowly avoiding the waves. Plenty of spray here as you can see.

We stopped off at the Intercontinental Hotel for tea and scones and respite from the buffeting winds. Excellent scones and plenty of tea. The harbour was almost full of water, slopping over onto the quay, boats heaving and bobbing even though they were very securely moored.

Barbara and David had the long drive back to Edinburgh today. With the Dartford Bridge closed owing to the gales, two tunnels were used for southbound traffic creating long delays in both directions. It took them 10 hours which is much longer than usual.